MANILA – After FIBA banned Kiefer Ravena for 18 months when tests revealed he had taken three banned substances, the up-and-coming Ilonggo PBA star rookie is at risk of losing more.
His Games and Amusement Board-issued license could be revoked, rendering him ineligible to play for Gilas Pilipinas, according to GAB Chairman Abraham Mitra.
“Ravena could face a suspension from international play or revocation of the license issued to him by GAB,” Mitra said in a statement, a copy of which was furnished to Panay News.
But Mitra said GAB will hold judgment for now as it looks into the fact that Ravena was “positive” for banned substances in two FIBA tests. “The tests were not done under our auspices.”
“We have to investigate on our own,” he said. “A lot is at stake, and we must not rush into a conclusion without finding out the truth.”
But “we assure the sporting community that GAB will file appropriate cases or sanctions if and when violations are proven,” said Mitra.
Three ingredients in the WADA List of Prohibited Substances were found in urine samples taken from Ravena – leading FIBA to conclude that he violated anti-doping regulations and slap him with an 18-month ban, from Feb. 25 this year to Aug. 24 next year.
Aside from the national men’s basketball team, Ravena, a native of Iloilo City, is also at risk of getting banned from the PBA – a FIBA-sanctioned league – where he currently plays for NLEX Road Warriors.
Road Warriors have communicated with FIBA for clarification.
Ravena is “a player of good character,” team governor Ramoncito Fernandez said in a statement. “We have had no problems with him from the moment he was drafted.”
“He is a paragon of a professional player,” Fernandez added. “We will continue to support Kiefer as a player and Kiefer as a person. But we will abide by the decision of FIBA if they say that Kiefer cannot play in the PBA.”
Meanwhile Ravena’s mother Mozzy said their family “stand[s] by Kiefer.”
“Alam naman namin kung sino siya,” she said. “At a loss din kami, but na-explain naman sa amin, and I really think it’s the right thing to do. Kasi may ruling talaga.”
Mozzy, herself a former national volleyball team player, said her son was really hurt by the FIBA ban but “kami … alam naman namin iyong totoo. Kilala naman namin si Kiefer and we’re always here for him.”
Ravena hopes he does not get barred from playing in the PBA. He also stressed that while he tested positive for substances banned among athletes, he was not using any dangerous substance outlawed in the country.
“Ayokong isipin ng tao na nagsha-shabu ako or nagma-marijuana ako or nagko-cocaine ako. That’s way out of hand,” he stressed, citing the current sensitivity of the issue.
“Lesson learned. That’s where we grow and where we learn,” he added. “If I can be an instrument of this advocacy in the Philippines, I’d be open to helping other athletes avoid being in this position.”/PN
